Guinea pigs reach sexual maturity early in their life- as early as six weeks!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1','ezslot_6',108,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-1-0'); So, remember that when you are wondering about the probable pregnancy of your guinea pigs. The vet may try to manipulate the piglet into a position where the mother can pass it. Avoid putting any pressure on her body. Guinea pigs are important animal models for human disease, and both outbred and inbred lines are utilized in biomedical research. A pregnant guinea will start to drink and eat more as the pregnancy propels. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Wash out the water bottle with a gentle dish soap every few days. He is an exotic vet. Normally, it wouldnt. So how about the baby guinea pigs? We can understand why a guinea pig would need extra comfort during pregnancy, given that she does not move as much as she used to. Until we noticed that her belly got bigger than it should be. Lethal guinea pigs are white in colour (not albino) are born blind, usually in both eyes, have crooked or deformed teeth, are often also deaf and often suffer from internal deformities particularly to the digestive organs. Their physical and mental well-being are directly linked to their emotional state. The mother has a single pair of mammary glands from which the newborns will nurse until about 3 weeks of age. Once the pups are weaned, the mother should not require vitamin supplements anymore, unless you gave them to her as part of her regular diet anyway. Most inexperienced Guinea pig "breeders" do not understand this concept. This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Even at such a small size, they have hair and are able to see and run. If you show negligence in ensuring that your guinea pig could handle the pregnancy, you are not only putting the mothers life at risk, but also that of the babies in the litter. There will come a time when you'll be able to clearly see the babies moving inside the mother, and even the different parts of their anatomy. ", pet they can be, and how to play with them. Do not bath the sow during pregnancy. Laber-Laird, Swindle, & Flecknell. Maybe in the woods, they can take care of themselves. Doing otherwise can cause pregnancy complications or miscarriage. ", care of my guinea pig and I am so sure that she is healthy and will have my little baby friends soon! if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1','ezslot_15',130,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-narrow-sky-1-0');The lactational amenorrhea method (LAM) can be a helpful natural contraceptive in case of humans for a brief period after the birth of a child. This article was very helpful in letting us know what to expect and what to do when our female goes into labor, etc. Any one else has pets that you can't pet or hold ? But compromising on the perfection of those necessities wont cause much immediate trouble when she is not pregnant. If there is a likelihood any of the pups are born with this condition you must decide what action you will take. Introduce the male pups to the father and any other boars you have. So be sure to consult fair- minded veterinarians, and a second opinion could never hurt. I have had her for three years and she has never been around any males but my family and I think she is pregnant because she has a pear shape and she isn't fat. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. A guinea pig's pregnancy lasts about 9 or 10 weeks. Since they no longer eat just for them, but also for the baby piggies inside, they eat more than the usual amount. Interesting fact - The largest numbers of pups a sow has given birth to was 14! Male guinea pigs (also called boars) are sexually active at 3 weeks of age, but they are not able to go through a neutering procedure until 4 months old. During this period the mothers double her body weight and get a lot bigger. So, there are obvious signs that you can look for to identify pregnancy in your guinea pigs. In general, veterinarians do not recommend that individual pet owners attempt to breed guinea pigs. But even if your locality has cold weather, it is still worth enough to take your guinea pig to the vet. This could increase her stress and affect her eating and drinking habits. And believe me, you would not want to live with the guilt if something goes wrong. Which Can Include: Being vigilant about their activities is vital to their well-being. Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Cavy Slave. The female doubles in weight and hence gets bigger in size too during pregnancy. ", know if the sow is having a baby or babies. If they do mate, I will now. Have a visiting vet every once in a while. It could be a disease causing the accumulation of excess metabolic products.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_7',109,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); Either way, one thing is pretty clear: You have to take your guinea pig to the vet. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. Being wrong about the pregnancy couldnt hurt more than the consequences of neglecting it!if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[336,280],'pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4','ezslot_23',110,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-sky-4-0'); There are actual people that I know who neglected the weight gain in their guinea pigs. Absolutely pregnant. If you've found out that your guinea pig is pregnant, check on it several times a day to monitor its drinking and eating habits so you know what is normal and can react to changes. Rough handling may cause miscarriage. Guinea pigs, even when not pregnant, are vulnerable to mood swings. Note that the gestation period is usually 66 - 72 days. The boar must be removed by 50 days as he may continue to mount her which can be stressful or painful in later pregnancy, and she could become pregnant again as early as two hours after the birth. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4','ezslot_12',120,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-4-0');For how long is a guinea pig pregnant? A few proprietors have brought a young guinea pig home, to find that she is pregnant as of now! To tell if your guinea pig is pregnant, start by observing her eating habits to gauge whether she's eating and drinking more than usual. Though it depends on the size of the litter, a guinea pig pregnancy lasts 59-72 days. At birth, baby guinea pigs can weigh between 2.1 and 4.2 oz (60 and 120 grams) and have an average size of 3-4 inches (8-10 cm). o [ canine influenza] You should also provide a box, like a small shoe box on its side. Whilst a pup becoming stuck in the birth canal or born breech is common, never intervene yourself. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2','ezslot_21',128,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-portrait-2-0');After birth, the recovery is pretty speedy in guinea pigs. Sign up for wikiHow's weekly email newsletter. This is because sows who are too young are at a greater risk of vitamin deficiencies during pregnancy. Pet stores often keep both sexes together, resulting in many people being sold sows which are already pregnant. Right. She died along with the litter. To Avoid Stress, You Need to Take Several Measures Obviously. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2','ezslot_9',126,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-pocketpetcentral_com-leader-2-0');Sometimes, surgery could be necessary. For different stages of progress, there are different medicines, food supplies, the quantity of food and water, and more! Never offer the same vegetable two days running. And hand those records to your vert during his weekly visit so that he can comprehend the situation in hand better. "I recently adopted two pigs but realized I would have many more very soon. This is going to be all the more obvious if she was a very active female before she was pregnant. This allows you to gauge what is normal, so that if she becomes unwell and stops eating, or becomes very thirsty, you will pick up clues early on. We took her to vet for check up.. In addition, you may want to increase your guinea pig's fiber intake. All guinea pigs enjoy burrowing down in hay, but do not nest specifically because of pregnancy. After the surgery, keep your pet quiet and separated from other guinea pigs while recovering. He was lonely, so my family decided to get a girl for him to. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/7c\/Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid666376-v4-728px-Tell-if-Your-Guinea-Pig-Is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"